I was walking on the Seaside Hgts boardwalk last weekend and noticed 3 or 4 hot dog stands that I don't remember seeing last summer. I think one of them was Bubba's but I didn't put 2 and 2 together. I'll have to take a ride down there soon and try em all. I did notice that one of them listed "Rippers" on the menu. I apologize for the lack of information, I was walking with a group of people at the time and just noticed them out of the corner of my eye.

I found a place I didn't know about. Captain Paul's Firehouse Dogs. It's in Lawrenceville, NJ.

I normally drive down to Halo Farms to get milk it's only $1.14 per half gallon and the drinks like iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch, grape aid, orange aid, and grape aid are .79 cents half gallon or 3 or $1.99. The ice cream is 3 pints for $4 I believe. They make it all fresh.

Anyway, back to the dogs.. I was looking for some alternate routes to get there and avoid route 1 traffic and came across Paul's.

The building is very nice.. has a few tables outside, which I loved on the nice summer day, and a few stools inside. The inside is tiny.

He serves up ice cream, dogs, drinks, funnel cake sticks, and some other stuff.

The dogs themselves are nothing special.. seems like a regular boiled dog.. not as long as a Sabratt's. The chili was good, though. They have two kinds of chili which I was unaware of. Regular chili and Italian Chili. The Italian has a little zing to it and has potatoes and onions and peppers in it I believe.

Neither chili is as good as a "Texas Weiner", but they were both decent. The Italian Chili wins out of the two due to it's uniqueness and the zing.

They serve the dogs with your choice of three mustards.. [class="size10 helvetica10"]Boar's Head, Gulden's or Honey Mustard.. oh and yellow.. four. The Boar's Head is the spicy one.

The owner is very friendly. He's been open over a year now.

My only suggestion would be to either fry or grill the dogs so they get that "snap".

If you're reading the menu, I've had The Chief and Third Alarm before. My Girlfriend The General. Somehow she was expecting to get a hot dog.. I laughed. It clearly states buffalo chicken. She enjoyed it a lot.

<<I normally drive down to Halo Farms to get milk it's only $1.14 per half gallon and the drinks like iced tea, lemonade, fruit punch, grape aid, orange aid, and grape aid are .79 cents half gallon or 3 or $1.99. The ice cream is 3 pints for $4 I believe. They make it all fresh. >>

Nothing to do with Hot Dogs, as you said, but Halo Farms is a totally unique NJ Roadfood destination. Thier Ice Cream is superb, and the prices seem 30 years out of date for the quality. It's so low-profile that they don't even seem ot have a website. The Trenton Farmers Market (accessible from the same parking lot) makes it even better.

Yes, I forgot to mention the farmers market.. there have some great prices on plants (flower and herb/veggie). There's a polish booth in there with cheeses and stuff.

I can say this, though. A lot of the Halo cashiers are rude. Also, a lot of the times however they seal the cartons they leak. I've gotten home a few times with a spilled milk in the bag, or an opened juice. Good thing the bags are heavy duty. It's like a 20 minute drive for me, but I make it a once a week routine since Aldi is close by and sooo cheap. I've been keeping a list of things I like and don't from Aldi like on my blog.

By the way, the owner of Paul's told me Trenton used to have a "Texas Weiner" and it was always packed. Wish it was still around.

Yeah, that's the worst part of going to Halo, the checkout lines are slow and the help is surly.

PS: There's an ALDI in South Plainfield on Park ave which is probably closer to you. And, they currently have the Roseland Bratwurst in thier freezer section. These are made by Klement's in Wisconsin, a highly rated sausage maker. I actually find them to be a little too greasy, but others rave about them.

I had a quick question. I live in Jersey City and wanted to take my dad out for hot dogs this weekend. What are the best places in Jersey City or Hoboken to take him? Do the places have seating or are they just mainly takeout places? Thanks for the help in advance.

Definitely take him to Boulevard Drinks in Journal Square. It's a small place with only a few stools. Parking is tough but there is a garage right there. Great griddled natural casing Sabrett's just like Papaya King.

Definitely take him to Boulevard Drinks in Journal Square. It's a small place with only a few stools. Parking is tough but there is a garage right there. Great griddled natural casing Sabrett's just like Papaya King.

I think Hoboken has a Windmill restaurant.

Thanks John. I live in Jersey City so I can just take the path over there to get some dogs :-)

ok......... i don't know what, i just cooked......... in a frying pan with a coating of peanut oil......... i just pan fried some dog's , i bought at WEGMAN'S . found them to be on line with a thumans/ shickhuas , found them to be my liking , i panned them until the skins ripped, had three, 1 plain 1 with ketchup and relish and the last one, with a hot spicy mustard , with relish............. all three were well liked...............

now, i bought these from the deli counter.......... they were loose and bought 1.75 ibs @ $6.86 and 10 dog count .............. HOFFMANS RED HOT'S , i thought they had a nice mild flavor, a touch of smokiness , has some snap......... i'm going to try next time to simmer then the grill , and save and test one as a dirty water dog !!!

they deli master told me, i can buy them in a 5lb bag, going for just under $20.00 buck's ..........

I buy the Hofmann's occasionally when I go to the Woodbridge Wegmans. I like that they are sold loose. As you said, they have a nice mild flavor. I'll buy a Thumann's loose and one of these. I prefer Thumann's but one of the guys working behind the counter told me that Hofmann's outsells Thumann's by about 3 to 1. Zweigle's, Sahlen's, and Hartmann's are sold at the Woodbridge location, but not always in stock. Bridgewater seems to always have them.

I once prepared a Hofmann's dirty water style. I didn't like it this way. Much too mild. In fact I would consider it bland. I simmer in water and either fry in the skillet or cook it on my griddle.

Although they won't admit it, Maui's in Wildwood serves Hofmann's Red Hots. They prepare them well on a griddle. I was there recently and had one with homeade sauerkraut which was good and one with a Texas Weiner chili which was very good. And very spicy.

Boulevard Drinks is very good definitley try their chili/onions, you can also try Nathan's Famous in the food court at Newport Center in JC, not that far away in Fort Lee is Hiram's, voted best chili dog by the Munchmobile,they serve a Thumann's deep fried dog that is one of NJ's best.

This is my first post so "Hello" I am a Jersey born DogChaser. My dad even ran a truck for a while (which I haven't ruled out myself, actually).

I wanted to mention that you can get some great butcher dogs from Lutz's Pork Store in Union NJ. Not overspiced, but a nice flavor with a great natural casing and griddle/grill friendly. Even made good rippers.

My Girlfriend got the idea to make Rutt's Hutt relish at home. It's about an hour drive to get to Rutt's for us, one way.

So, she finds this video on YouTube.. warning it has foul language.. his has a mango or papaya or something in it.. this guy is an idiot.. he basically made made smashed mango with some onions and a little pepper or something.

ok......... i don't know what, i just cooked......... in a frying pan with a coating of peanut oil......... i just pan fried some dog's , i bought at WEGMAN'S . found them to be on line with a thumans/ shickhuas , found them to be my liking , i panned them until the skins ripped, had three, 1 plain 1 with ketchup and relish and the last one, with a hot spicy mustard , with relish............. all three were well liked...............

now, i bought these from the deli counter.......... they were loose and bought 1.75 ibs @ $6.86 and 10 dog count .............. HOFFMANS RED HOT'S , i thought they had a nice mild flavor, a touch of smokiness , has some snap......... i'm going to try next time to simmer then the grill , and save and test one as a dirty water dog !!!

they deli master told me, i can buy them in a 5lb bag, going for just under $20.00 buck's ..........

A new hot dog restaurant called Hot Diggities has opened on Bloomfield Ave. in Montclair. They serve a 1/4 lb natural casing beef dog from Best Provisions. This is the "Don's" dog. Here it is boiled, deep fried, or grilled; your choice. I spoke with a woman on the phone who was extremely hard to understand. Grilled means on a gas grill, not griddled. With tax the dog is $4.55 Kind of expensive. Amazing Hot Dog charged $3.25. But Hot Diggities has a list of 26 toppings, which are free. This may appeal to some, but I like a quality dog like this with mustard only. The combo is $6.25 which includes a drink and a side. Sides include fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings or tater tots.

ok.................... went to Super Duper Weenie 306 Black Rock Turnpike Fairfield, CT 06825........................... took a nice easy ride.............. there dog's were good and fresh............ we enjoyed our quick stop up in Connecticut ............ place was clean and active.

Yesterday a friend and I went to Hot Diggities and Tony's; both on Bloomfield Ave. Hot Diggities has been open for 3 weeks and serves the 1/4 lb (Don's) natural casing Best's dog. While it is tasty, I prefer a 1/4 pounder to be longer and thinner rather than shorter and thicker. Nevertheless it tasted great and was prepared correctly. You have a choice of boiled, grilled (on a gas grill) or deep fried. We both chose grilled. The dogs were hot, juicy, and fresh. I got mine with mustard and a little kraut, my friend had sweet works which is mustard, kraut, and sweet relish. You have a choice of a potato or poppy seed bun. I had a potato bun. The kraut was good; better than average. I did find it a bit overpriced. Dogs alone are $4.25 plus tax. You can get this dog cheaper elsewhere. The combo is $6.25 and includes a small drink and side. Tater tots, fries, or sweet potato fries. We got regular fries which were your standard frozen fries. And not a lot of them.

The place has a nice atmosphere and is decorated with framed descriptions of the dogs they offer. I forgot to mention that all toppings are included or "free". To me this is deceiving. They charge more, but include toppings. Like Harold's charges a lot for a sandwich. But they force you to buy a large. In my opinion a very good dog; not a great value unless you like to load up on toppings.

Afterwards we went to Tony's. As mentioned by a poster on another forum, the truck was sold and the recipe for their famous hot onions changed. I asked the women working there about this and they denied it at first. I told them about the post here and they first said that the same recipe prepared by different people may taste different. Then they admitted tweaking it. I don't eat onions, but my friend said they definitely changed and aren't as hot or as good. I can tell you that they still use the same Golden D frank, but the chili, which they claimed was the same, wasn't. It was one of my favorites. It went from very good to just good. Bottom line: In the past I would go out of my way to get a few dogs from Tony's. Now I would only stop if I was in the area.

I just thought I'd mention that was back at Captain Paul's today, which I did a review of earlier.

I mentioned the website and that I gave his chili a thumbs up.. I said the only thing I'd change is to grill or fry the dogs and to my surprise he said he's always done that if you ask. Since the conversation all happened so quick, I am not totally clear if he'll deep fry, but he definitely does grill dogs.

Thumbs up for a really nice family owning the place and for grilling the dogs.. I go there once every two weeks, sometimes less, but I think I'll be back more often now that I know he grills.

Wow - I see some of you North Jersey guys come down here to go to Halo farm and the farmers market? No wonder the place is always jammin'! I guess I'm spoiled since it is just a few minute drive for me. (I used to live within walking distance a few years back)

Hey Trenton Dog, where have you been? Casino Tony's has been gone from Trenton for more than a year! The restaurant was bought by someone else and has a different name. I think I heard that they still keep the dog on the menu that Casino's served.

They used to call themselves "The Original Italian Hot Dog" knowing full well that Jimmy Buff's was around before them. Tony's daughter admitted as much to me. In a lawsuit they were allowed to call themselves "Original", but not "Originator". To me this is sematic mumbo jumbo. Jimmy Buff's was first and is the prototype. No way Casino's should have been allowed to call themselves "Original." Casino's is a bastardized version. They served their product on a sub roll instead of pizza bread, used french fries instead of sliced potatoes (like home fries), and worst of all used a pork based mild dog instead of a spicy all beef dog. And the ingredients are grilled rather than deep fried. Hey, some may like what they serve, but don't call it an Italian Hot Dog because it is not!

It's my opinion, but I've been to Casino Tony Goes and it cannot compare to an authentic Newark style Italian Hot Dog. It's all wrong. The flavors do not blend together, the ingredients are all wrong, and the product does not even look good on their website. The peppers aren't sliced; it's just one big piece. The potatoes are horrible. The only positive I can offer is that the actual frank, which is/was a Dietz and Watson beef/pork was tasty and would have been good alone griddled, served hot on a decent bun. But not as an Italian Hot Dog.

Hey Trenton Dog, where have you been? Casino Tony's has been gone from Trenton for more than a year! The restaurant was bought by someone else and has a different name. I think I heard that they still keep the dog on the menu that Casino's served.

They used to call themselves "The Original Italian Hot Dog" knowing full well that Jimmy Buff's was around before them. Tony's daughter admitted as much to me. In a lawsuit they were allowed to call themselves "Original", but not "Originator". To me this is sematic mumbo jumbo. Jimmy Buff's was first and is the prototype. No way Casino's should have been allowed to call themselves "Original." Casino's is a bastardized version. They served their product on a sub roll instead of pizza bread, used french fries instead of sliced potatoes (like home fries), and worst of all used a pork based mild dog instead of a spicy all beef dog. And the ingredients are grilled rather than deep fried. Hey, some may like what they serve, but don't call it an Italian Hot Dog because it is not!

It's my opinion, but I've been to Casino Tony Goes and it cannot compare to an authentic Newark style Italian Hot Dog. It's all wrong. The flavors do not blend together, the ingredients are all wrong, and the product does not even look good on their website. The peppers aren't sliced; it's just one big piece. The potatoes are horrible. The only positive I can offer is that the actual frank, which is/was a Dietz and Watson beef/pork was tasty and would have been good alone griddled, served hot on a decent bun. But not as an Italian Hot Dog.

Wow - that's sad. Last time I had a dog there was sometime last year. Been busy with my own hot dog cart since then, so I don't need to go out and buy one. :) If the one in Morrisville, PA is still open, it is only a 10 minute ride over the bridge.

The dog's I remember from Tony's were served on roll from the Italian People's Bakery in Trenton, and used home fried potatoes (not french fries). The dog did seem to be a natural casing german style beef/pork frank and not a spicier all beef dog, but personally, I like the beef/pork with toppings and the "all beef" ones with just mustard or a little kraut.

I've seen several hot dog joints throughout the state postings signs that they are home of the "original Italian hot dog". Regardless, it is great to live in a state that takes their hot dogs seriously! Thumann's, Best, Sabrett, Shickhaus - I love 'em all as long as they have a natural casing.

As far as I know Casino's second location in PA is still open. I could be wrong; I'll have to check. I'm surprised that the Trenton place was sold or went out of business. Although I didn't like their product, many did and it was their only exposure to something resembling an Italian Hot Dog. You're right about the potatoes; they were home fries, not french fries.

Some years back when the Morrisville restaurant opened in a strip mall, a pizzeria in the same mall began advertising their own "New Jersey Italian Hot Dog." Can you believe the owners of Casino Tony Goes actually threatened legal action over the name? This while they were still falsely claiming to be the Original Italian Hot Dog. The pizzeria owner then started calling his sandwich a Pennsylvania Italian Hot Dog or something similar. I've posted about this in the past and even have a link to an article somewhere. I'll look for it.

I just thought I'd mention that I was in the Aldi Store in South Plainfield today and they are carrying "Chicago Style Hot Dogs" under thier Parkview label, and made by none other than Vienna Beef (the "V" logo is even on the package).

Better still, since they are within a week of expiration date (I guess they weren't selling very well) they are marked down to 99 cents for an 8 pack.

Of course, since as far as I know there is no place in NJ to buy sport peppers or green relish or even poppy seed rolls, the full Chicago dog experience isn't going to happen, but it's good to have the dogs around anyway. I bought two packs. There's about 20 packs left at the 99 cent price.

Yesterday, we grilled some special brats that had been shipped in from out of town. My wife went to the supermarket on Saturday and placed an order for them to bake us poppy-seed hot dog rolls. Perhaps one of your markets allows special orders from customers?

ok, i'm now convinced that a italian style hot dog is what is ........... the dog, potatoes , peppers and onions are great mix.......... it's that pizza bread...... got to go . to much bread..........( and i love bread). i understand how the lil ole lady made a snack for the guy's,. but it's missing the RIGHT bread ........ i think there better options out there to load this on to!!!!!! the bread is over whelming to what your eating......... less bread and the ingredient's would shine .........

my traveler liked his combo............ really made a comment on the sausage........ like it , talked it up for a while......... bread was a issue for him also.

then ordered two , push cart style hot dog's with chili ,mustard and raw onions .......... those were pretty good !!!

4 birch beer's later and a double for home.............. spent ball park of $36.00 bucks

2 doubles 1 combo 4 sodas 2 dog's chili ,mustard

well, that's eating out these day's !!!!!

sorry, the best italian style dog for me so far in my quest of following the legend JOHN FOX has to be Goombas, on morris ave, union, nj

Last time I was in Goombas was about two months ago to pick up some subs. I found out then (but failed to post) that they are no longer using pizza bread for their Italian Hot Dogs. They got it from a bakery in Newark, but like so many other pizzerias switched to sub rolls because of inconsistent demand for Italian Hot Dogs. Either they run out of pizza bread or have too much of it. When there is too much, they have to throw it out.

ok, i'm now convinced that a italian style hot dog is what is ........... the dog, potatoes , peppers and onions are great mix.......... it's that pizza bread...... got to go . to much bread..........( and i love bread). i understand how the lil ole lady made a snack for the guy's,. but it's missing the RIGHT bread ........ i think there better options out there to load this on to!!!!!! the bread is over whelming to what your eating......... less bread and the ingredient's would shine .........

my traveler liked his combo............ really made a comment on the sausage........ like it , talked it up for a while......... bread was a issue for him also.

then ordered two , push cart style hot dog's with chili ,mustard and raw onions .......... those were pretty good !!!

4 birch beer's later and a double for home.............. spent ball park of $36.00 bucks

2 doubles 1 combo 4 sodas 2 dog's chili ,mustard

well, that's eating out these day's !!!!!

sorry, the best italian style dog for me so far in my quest of following the legend JOHN FOX has to be Goombas, on morris ave, union, nj

dog boss

Get rid of the pizza bread,and, sorry, it's a different sandwich...besides, if the sandwich is made right,you fill up that half of pizza bread.....never too much....pizza bread has a special taste that makes the sandwich...a roll just won't do...not the same taste...if you think it too much bread,some one was skimping on the filling...some places also offer a double dog in it!!!!Too few places make them the way I remember them so long ago...I guess they'd have to charge too much...anyone know a great place that fills that half of pizza loaf???

Last time I was in Goombas was about two months ago to pick up some subs. I found out then (but failed to post) that they are no longer using pizza bread for their Italian Hot Dogs. They got it from a bakery in Newark, but like so many other pizzerias switched to sub rolls because of inconsistent demand for Italian Hot Dogs. Either they run out of pizza bread or have too much of it. When there is too much, they have to throw it out.

well , that seems to be a problem ............... they need to but it on there menu, that's a fact at goombas, but case being, lot's of places, if your not selling it, you got to adjust !!!!!!!!!!! fresh ,fresh, fresh !!!!!!!!! so, what else can a pizza bread do ? .................. i have had plenty of bread's that r similar to the "PIZZA" bread ............ just not as large ...

Last time I was in Goombas was about two months ago to pick up some subs. I found out then (but failed to post) that they are no longer using pizza bread for their Italian Hot Dogs. They got it from a bakery in Newark, but like so many other pizzerias switched to sub rolls because of inconsistent demand for Italian Hot Dogs. Either they run out of pizza bread or have too much of it. When there is too much, they have to throw it out.

well , that seems to be a problem ............... they need to put it on there menu, that's a fact at goombas, but case being, lot's of places, if your not selling it, you got to adjust !!!!!!!!!!! fresh ,fresh, fresh !!!!!!!!! so, what else can a pizza bread do ? .................. i have had plenty of bread's that r similar to the "PIZZA" bread ............ just not as large ...

ok, i'm now convinced that a italian style hot dog is what is ........... the dog, potatoes , peppers and onions are great mix.......... it's that pizza bread...... got to go . to much bread..........( and i love bread). i understand how the lil ole lady made a snack for the guy's,. but it's missing the RIGHT bread ........ i think there better options out there to load this on to!!!!!! the bread is over whelming to what your eating......... less bread and the ingredient's would shine .........

my traveler liked his combo............ really made a comment on the sausage........ like it , talked it up for a while......... bread was a issue for him also.

then ordered two , push cart style hot dog's with chili ,mustard and raw onions .......... those were pretty good !!!

4 birch beer's later and a double for home.............. spent ball park of $36.00 bucks

2 doubles 1 combo 4 sodas 2 dog's chili ,mustard

well, that's eating out these day's !!!!!

sorry, the best italian style dog for me so far in my quest of following the legend JOHN FOX has to be Goombas, on morris ave, union, nj

dog boss

Get rid of the pizza bread,and, sorry, it's a different sandwich...besides, if the sandwich is made right,you fill up that half of pizza bread.....never too much....pizza bread has a special taste that makes the sandwich...a roll just won't do...not the same taste...if you think it too much bread,some one was skimping on the filling...some places also offer a double dog in it!!!!Too few places make them the way I remember them so long ago...I guess they'd have to charge too much...anyone know a great place that fills that half of pizza loaf???

what makes the pizza bread so good....................... ???????? i have had it stuffed, i just think's about eating something that turn's messy ....... sausage and peppers , never made it big in a pizza bread ? why ? chicken parm, sausage parm , veal parm, why not stuffed into a pizza bread..........????? how bout a nice italian sub , stuffed into a PIZZA BREAD ????? what do you think , a full line of sandwiches stuffed in a pizza bread ? tuna salad , chicken salad , and then we can do a cuban in a pizza bread.................... i think i'm on to something here !!!!! all kidding aside, to much bread.............. like galloping hill , nice roll , but to much for there dog !!!!! ............. sorry , i'm ranting !!! but ,at the end of the day it's too much bread !!!!!

Made right, and filling up the bread,it's still something special with a special taste....a sub made on white bread isn't a sub, similar in taste,but not a sub....an Italian hot dog made on a roll,isn't an Italian Hotdog...just my Italian opinion after having eaten hundreds over the years!My uncle had a stand once at the English Town auction in NJ where I worked summers in the early 60's...and I ate away the profits...all made(and filled to the brim) with pizza bread.

How stupid of me! I totally bought those hotdogs awhile ago and didn't mention them. Whenever I made the post about Captain Paul's and Aldi's here, probably almost a month ago.

The ones by me weren't about to expire, nor were they 99 cents. They were reasonably priced and tasty, though.

ken8038

I just thought I'd mention that I was in the Aldi Store in South Plainfield today and they are carrying "Chicago Style Hot Dogs" under thier Parkview label, and made by none other than Vienna Beef (the "V" logo is even on the package).

Better still, since they are within a week of expiration date (I guess they weren't selling very well) they are marked down to 99 cents for an 8 pack.

Of course, since as far as I know there is no place in NJ to buy sport peppers or green relish or even poppy seed rolls, the full Chicago dog experience isn't going to happen, but it's good to have the dogs around anyway. I bought two packs. There's about 20 packs left at the 99 cent price.

Made right, and filling up the bread,it's still something special with a special taste....a sub made on white bread isn't a sub, similar in taste,but not a sub....an Italian hot dog made on a roll,isn't an Italian Hotdog...just my Italian opinion after having eaten hundreds over the years!My uncle had a stand once at the English Town auction in NJ where I worked summers in the early 60's...and I ate away the profits...all made(and filled to the brim) with pizza bread.

me to as kid, but ...................never left me with impression ............... i remember lot's of food there, chicken galore (delight) had a stand inside , and my thing with them was the french fries !!!

Take the Pizza Bread out of an Italian Hot Dog? Why not also leave the Prancing Horse off a Ferrari while we're at it?

The Bear

............. OK, so it's the pizza bread that makes it's 'italian style hot dog" ............so, back in the day ,before the lil ole lady made this for the boy's playing cards, what was pizza bread used for ? i can think of other "ITALIAN BREAD'S" that this combo of hot dog, peppers ,onions and fried potato's , is called 'italian style hot dog" ................... i think i'm going to buy pizza bread's and stuff them all , with so many things, and there first name is going to be "italian style" egg salad, chicken salad, meatAball and sausage ..........................

don't get me wrong......... i do like that you guy's have a passion for these ITALIAN STYLE HOT DOG'S.................... i think it's more about the items that go on the bread, roll, bun.................. then the bread !!!!!!!.........it just leave's with that............. wish sandwich feeling. or like were's the beef?

Take the Pizza Bread out of an Italian Hot Dog? Why not also leave the Prancing Horse off a Ferrari while we're at it?

The Bear

............. OK, so it's the pizza bread that makes it's 'italian style hot dog" ............so, back in the day ,before the lil ole lady made this for the boy's playing cards, what was pizza bread used for ? i can think of other "ITALIAN BREAD'S" that this combo of hot dog, peppers ,onions and fried potato's , is called 'italian style hot dog" ................... i think i'm going to buy pizza bread's and stuff them all , with so many things, and there first name is going to be "italian style" egg salad, chicken salad, meatAball and sausage ..........................

don't get me wrong......... i do like that you guy's have a passion for these ITALIAN STYLE HOT DOG'S.................... i think it's more about the items that go on the bread, roll, bun.................. then the bread !!!!!!!.........it just leave's with that............. wish sandwich feeling. or like were's the beef?

As you've figured out, many folks take their hot dogs seriously! Whether it be a "Chicago Style" dog, or a "NJ Italian Hot Dog".

For me, an "Italian Hot Dog" is more or less an Italian sausage sandwich with a hot dog instead of sausage and home fried potatoes. The bread does need to be either Italian bread or Pizza bread. The pizza bread is just pizza dough baked into rolls. Doesn't matter to me, either one is good to me. But there are "purists" out there that won't accept anything but a deep fried dog and a pizza dough roll. I don't follow those strict "Kosher" rules, but I think it is great that some people do. Keeps tradition going!

Wow...I've been kosher, and didn't know it!!! Good analogy though....I guess I'm a purist....and yes it is an Italian sausage sandwich with potatoes added,,,Hey we make sausage sandwiches the exact same way, Pizza bread and potato,pepper,onion topping...we just add a little red vinegar near the end...and call the topping a sauce...that's how my Uncle sold them for decades at Englishtown, NJ auction. Next time you crave an Italian sausage sandwich, try it that way and let me know what you think...

Has anyone ever been to Russ Ayres Hot Dogs in Bordentown, NJ? It's like 25 minutes away fro me. Is it worth me taking a trip? I found out about them by accident.. someone else had a piece of notepad paper from his place.

Has anyone ever been to Russ Ayres Hot Dogs in Bordentown, NJ? It's like 25 minutes away fro me. Is it worth me taking a trip? I found out about them by accident.. someone else had a piece of notepad paper from his place.

ok, i found something similar to the pizza bread debate............... i love beating a dead horse !!!

i specifically mentioned amoroso because i know they're a national brand now (although, they DO taste different in other parts of the country than the ones made here in philly. not sure why - could be a water issue, humidity level issue or the recipe could be modified for 'franchisees')

they're good rolls - just a 'basic' type though. plain-jane, so to speak. they're perfectly fine for sandwiches - both cold and hot types. and will do just fine if you can't find something better.

and there ARE better rolls out there - you just have to look for them!

if you want a really stand-out steak sandwich, you'll need to find something with more to it than the basic amoroso-type roll.and this comes from someone who grew up eating darn good steak sandwiches that were on amoroso rolls. i always thought they were the best, from this one place...the real reason they were so good was the quality of the meat. top-knotch stuff with no gristle at all. other places used amoroso rolls and lower quality meat and they were tried once and not repeated.then i moved to jersey and found a couple places there that used local-bakery made rolls rather than amoroso's. they're to die for when you combine the better roll with that high quality meat! even not-so-good meat tastes better on these other rolls. and the same when i moved back to pa - i tried all the various places around here...those that use something other than amoroso (which, in the area i live would be coropolese bakery or the conshohocken bakery) just aren't as good as those that use the other rolls - regardless of quality of meat (unless it's really bad meat, that is).

so, if you want to do a 'philly' cheesesteak, ya gotta have the good roll and the good meat. otherwise, it's just a steak sandwich.oh, as for toasting: i prefer untoasted; just my own personal preference. very few places that i've been to toast the rolls, though - unless it's a 'grinder' and that, of course would get a bit toasted when put in the oven. of the places that i've been too that did toast the rolls before filling with the meat, they did that to hide the fact that the roll was stale...and it didn't really cover the fact. that's the other important thing - gotta have FRESH rolls!! look he talking fresh roll's ...haha lol

just sampled two of the worst places.................. they shot right to the top of my el-shytdo list !!!!!!!!!!!

wheelies rt. 516 old bridge, nj

two of his roast beef sandwich's............

My sis lives near there, and did'nt care for WHEELIE'S roast beef too much , either.... Not horrible, but nothing special... and there was language communications issues with the counter gal... sis wanted "extra au jus" on the side...and the gal had no idea what she was talking about... (the manager jumped in with the save!!)

Sis said there were signs around saying that Wheelie's wanted to expand all over .... well, good luck...

However, sis and I both feel that Roy Rogers on Rt. 9 , just south of Toms River has real decent roast beef sandwiches... (they are using "real" roast beef again, not that processed junk....

I too am a hot dog lover in NJ and have been looking for the chili recipe from Geroge;s hot dogs for a while. I went to college with both George Jr. and Tommy Pegalotis (not probably close on the spelling of their last name) back in the 60's. I even played softball for Georges. I was crushed when I heard they sold the place and even more upset when I found out that the little square store isn't even there any more. A gentleman from NJ using the name Food_Fan, wrote last year that he had come close in duplicating George's chili recipe, if he still reads these posts, I would love to get the recipe from him, as I too have tried to equal the taste but to no avail. It appears that he has come close and I would love to see how close. I lost touch with George and Tommy about 15 or 20 years ago and if I didn't think that they were going to be in business forever i would have asked them to give me the recipe then. If you are out there Food_Fan, I would love to get your recipe, like you I have never found another sauce quite like it and I have been looking for a long time. thanks Gerry

George and Jerry Belibasakis were brothers. Jerry (R.I.P.) owned Jerry's Famous Frankfurters which is still going strong today. Both used the same Best's natural casing franks after Always Tasty moved out of state. Don't know the recipe for either chili, but Jerry's had meat; George's didn't.

My late husband liked pizza bread for all types of sandwiches. He even enjoyed it with a little butter on it and a cup of coffee. I do not enjoy an italian hot dog or sausage on any other bread than pizza bread. I also think that you could use a pizza loaf for making a muffalatta - that wonderful New Orleans sandwich with Italian cold cuts and olive salad. I lived in Philly for a year and fell in love with Amoroso's rolls. I haven't seen them in my local supermarkets. I am not fond of crusty italian loaves for sandwiches, so the soft Amoroso rolls are just perfect for me when I make a sub at home.

My late husband liked pizza bread for all types of sandwiches. He even enjoyed it with a little butter on it and a cup of coffee. I do not enjoy an italian hot dog or sausage on any other bread than pizza bread. I also think that you could use a pizza loaf for making a muffalatta - that wonderful New Orleans sandwich with Italian cold cuts and olive salad. I lived in Philly for a year and fell in love with Amoroso's rolls. I haven't seen them in my local supermarkets. I am not fond of crusty italian loaves for sandwiches, so the soft Amoroso rolls are just perfect for me when I make a sub at home.

I enjoyed some dogs, fries, and birch beer from HotDogJohnnys yesterday after work, been years since I'd been there. Dogs are the same, nothing to write home about. Birch beer is still delicious, and the setting is beautiful. Forgot to get a shirt though...

My late husband liked pizza bread for all types of sandwiches. He even enjoyed it with a little butter on it and a cup of coffee. I do not enjoy an italian hot dog or sausage on any other bread than pizza bread. I also think that you could use a pizza loaf for making a muffalatta - that wonderful New Orleans sandwich with Italian cold cuts and olive salad. I lived in Philly for a year and fell in love with Amoroso's rolls. I haven't seen them in my local supermarkets. I am not fond of crusty italian loaves for sandwiches, so the soft Amoroso rolls are just perfect for me when I make a sub at home.

Applecheeks,

I was in Wildwood a few weeks ago. I had a cheesesteak for lunch at a place called Russo's which has a reputation for very good cheesesteaks and subs. They use Amoroso's rolls which I heard were squishy. They were, but in a good way. Our sub rolls (they call them hoagies in South Jersey and Philly) are harder in North Jersey. The cheesesteak went well with the Amoroso roll. Where do you get these rolls to make subs at home? I wouldn't think they were available this far north.